Top 5 Tuesday | Main Males

Top 5 Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the amazing Bionic Book Worm!

Today’s Top 5 is probably my favorite topic so far. I get to talk about my Book Boyfriends in ALL their glory and you are not prepared for how hard I’m about to fangirl. Please be warned that you will see a lot of all caps and text screaming as I share my love for these fictional men.

Jace Herondale from The Shadowhunter Chronicles

In case you didn’t already know, the #1 LOML is Jace Herondale. He first shows up in The Mortal Instruments and makes appearances in all of Cassandra Clare’s later books. He’s a sarcastic, half-angel warrior and I’m obsessed. If I have a book boyfriend type it’s the self-sacrificing hero with maximum-level wit & humor. He is also a fellow Gryffindor and I approve. See below for more evidence that Jace is an amazing, magical warrior-angel.

Simon Randell from The Empirium Trilogy

Simon is a new addition to my favorite male leads list. He’s also my favorite Slytherin love. If you’re into moody, bossy heartbreakers who do whatever it takes to get their end game, you will love Simon. *Side note: I DIE for baby Simon. This series has some time travel involved and seeing Baby Simon transition to adult Simon GIVES ME LIFE.

Nik Malikov from The Illuminae Files

Introducing my Hufflepuff boyfriend, Nik Malikov. He’s meant to be the comedic relief in Gemina & Obsidio (those books get INTENSE) and his humor DOES SOMETHING TO ME. He is also part of a Russian Mob family and has tattoos galore and I’m here for that sort of thing. Everyone needs a Nik Malikov in their life.

Rhysand from A Court of Thorns and Roses

Rhysand, High Lord of the Night Court. That is all. He is the definition of a feminist and will do anything to protect his family. He might need way more time to primp than I do, but I love him. He’s a great male lead.

Finian de Seel from Aurora Rising

I’m SO obsessed with Squad 312. It was hard for me not to cheat and do a 2-for-1 combo here with Tyler and Fin, and my heart told me that Fin was my main man. He’s an alien tech whiz with white-blonde hair and dashing wit. Yeah, he can be kinda annoying sometimes, but he is the Ravenclaw I want around!

Talk To Me

What did you think of my picks? Do we have any main males in common? Any boys you think I’d love?

Book Tag | Identity Crisis

It’s time for another book tag! Loretta @ The Laughing Listener created her very own book tag and now I’m spreading it around, because who doesn’t want to know what characters they’re most like?

I’m was super hyped…but also scared, because I kept thinking “what if I get someone awful like Taryn (Cruel Prince) or Gale (*gags*).” I think I did pretty well for my Virgo/Gryffindor self. Check out my results and don’t forget to play along!

RULES:

1. Take all the quizzes down below and record your answers somehow. I decided to just copy the text from each quiz and paste it into my post, but screenshots work too! Whatever floats your goat (Yes goat. I SAID WHAT I SAID).
2. NO CHEATING. You get one shot to take each quiz my friends. I’m watching you. ∗Suspicious squinty eyes∗
3. Use this post to give credit to the creator Loretta @ The Laughing Listener or tag her on twitter @LaughnListener so I can see everyone’s answers!!
4. Tag some friends to spread the fun!

RED QUEEN

WHO I AM: Mare Barrow

Okay, so right off the bat I’m getting the MC Heroine and I guess I’m okay with that since CAL is def a thing for me. Mare can be kinda annoying, but I love her for it anyway.

SHADOWHUNTERS

WHO I AM: Charlotte Branwell & Mark Blackthorn

YES I LOVE THIS COMBO SO MUCH. Charlotte is my FAVORITE character in The Infernal Devices. She is a badass QUEEN and she ran that institute like the boss lady she is. AND Mark is DEFINITELY THE BEST BLACKTHORN BROTHER (Don’t @ me). I’m not sure if people underestimate me? But I’m definitely the responsible mom of the friend group…did you remember to pack a sweater?

THRONE OF GLASS

WHO I AM: Dorian & Nesryn

HOW is this so accurate? This is based off dessert preferences and favorite nature spots and I’m concerned that Epic Reads knows everything about me.

HUNGER GAMES

WHO I AM: Effie Trinket

LOL. This is completely wrong. I can literally camp in the forest for a week with no showers, cell phone service, or TV and be completely okay with life. I’m also not flamboyant AT ALL. Buzzfeed, who put this quiz together? I have some questions. Other than that, I don’t mind Effie!

HARRY POTTER

WHO I AM: Dolores Umbridge

This is literally the first time I haven’t gotten Hermione on a Harry Potter character quiz and now I REALLY have questions for you, Buzzfeed! Dolores? Seriously?! I mean…I can be ruthless and bitchy, but I don’t like fluffy pink things? Def have to admit loving sweets but still, DOLORES? Side note: this description does not sound bad to me AT ALL. So yes to the description, NO to the character.

A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES

WHO I AM: Amren

Okay, I am down with this answer for some strange reason? Buzzfeed Community members got it RIGHT. I am also short, with dark hair, and I do tend to act moody even with my family. So yeah besides the vain part I think this is pretty accurate. LOL.

THE RAVEN CYCLE

WHO I AM: Noah Czerny

The first part about being observant and keeping to myself is 100% ON. POINT. The rest of this is false. I AM loyal to those I love, but I’m not naive or gullible. I am probably the most skeptic person every. But I love Noah. He is a precious cinnamon roll and I don’t mind being like him in some way.

*Sorry friends, you don’t get a cute picture of Twilight because I don’t own these books. (Sorry, not sorry)

TWILIGHT

WHO I AM: Edward Cullen

SAY IT. OUT LOUD. I’m like Edward? This is not me…at all. Other than people staying away from me I have absolutely nothing in common with him, but like cool I get to be a hottie vampire. That counts for something.

FOLK OF THE AIR

WHO I AM: Jude

I mean, Jude isn’t the best Heroine of all time, but things could have been worse. I could have been Taryn. And nobody wants that. I am stubborn when it comes to my beliefs and decision making so I guess this makes sense?

THE LUNAR CHRONICLES

WHO I AM: Thorne

I LOVE Thorne (and also Flynn Rider…heeeey, how you doin’) so I’m so okay with this. I don’t think it describes me at all. I thought for sure I would be Scarlet, but beggars can’t be choosers. And at least I’m not Kai.

Talk To Me

Tagging anyone who wants to play along!

What did you think of my answers? Do you think I’m like or dislike the results?

Top 5 Tuesday | I Could NOT Put These Books Down

Top 5 Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the amazing Bionic Book Worm!

Today we’re talking the top books I could not put down. You are probably going to see a lot of familiar titles on this list, because I definitely rave about my favorites whenever I can (so they probably made some of the my other top 5 lists).

Gemina by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

The Illuminae Files is one of my favorite series is ALL TIME. It has crazy artificial intelligence, aliens, evil space corporations, and ALL the sassy characters. My favorite is the second in the series, Gemina. The stakes are high, Nik Malikov is the best, and did I mention the aliens?!

A Court of Mist & Fury by Sarah J Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses is a solid 3-star book in my opinion, BUT the sequel is such an amazing book. There are unexpected twists & turns, hot faerie boys, and so much emotion. And did I mention the hot faerie boys?

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Another series that I’m obsessed with. I couldn’t put down any of these books, but the first book is my favorite. Rich boarding school boys, feminist badass heroines, and tons of magic.

Roar by Cora Carmack

This series is about magical storms, a princess with epic powers, and a kingdom that needs saving. I’m SO excited for Rage and all I can think about is Prince Cassius, Aurora, and probably the most creepy villain I’ve ever encountered.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

This series involves X-Men like storm powers, one of the WORST betrayals I’ve ever felt, and a monarchy that is just dying to be taken down. While the series has its ups & downs, the first book is amazing. I could not stop reading.

BONUS: Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

If you know me, you know I cannot go one post without talking about something Shadowhunters-related. So, I’m adding a bonus section to talk about my love for all things Cassie Clare. There were so many to choose from, but I went with Lord of Shadows because it’s an EPIC sequel. I lie awake at night thinking about how my heart was ripped out of my chest at the end…

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What did you think of my picks? Do we have any of the same unputdownable books? Any I should consider?

TL; DR | March Speed Reviews

How is it spring already? How are we already a quarter way through 2019? How have I managed to read 6 books this month and not review any of them yet? Well, I’ll tell you why, because I’ve been neglecting my blog for the greatness that is Elias Veturius (more on that below). I promise to have full reviews for these soon, but since it’s the end of March – here’s some TL; DR action!

Sawkill Girls

By: Claire Legrand

Overall Rating: ★★★★

The Verdict

This is a creepy, dark, feminist Rage Fest for the masses. The main ladies are diverse, unique and so refreshingly weird. Read for a new take on female friendships. Down with the patriarchy! You will rage so hard against the antagonist(s) and love the ending. I love monster stories, so it gets bonus points just for that.

Lady Smoke

By: Laura Sebastian

Overall Rating: ★★★★

The Verdict

This is book two in the Ash Princess trilogy and I was not disappointed. It wasn’t as amazing as Ash Princess – I really wish there was more magic – but it definitely lives up to the hype. If you were ever into Avatar the Last Airbender, you’ll enjoy book one. And if you’re into strong, independent queens who don’t need a man by their side to kick ass and take names, you’ll fall in love with Theo in book 2.

The Wicked King

By: Holly Black

Overall Rating: ★★★★

The Verdict

For all my Cruel Prince fans, please don’t hate me, but this series DOES NOT live up to the hype…like at all. The Wicked King wasn’t everything I expected it to be, but it was way better than The Cruel Prince, so I’m giving it a one-up in my star rating. I’m also going to be petty with my rating and say that Jude gets what she deserves and so much more, and I enjoyed seeing her fumble. I still hate Taryn. Locke is the absolute worst. And Cardan is an evil little d-bag (but he can stay because for some odd reason I’m kind of into it). Even though I didn’t enjoy this as much as the masses, the ending was honestly so great.

A Court of Thorns & Roses (Reread)

By: Sarah J Maas

Overall Rating: ★★★

The Verdict

It’s been a full year since I’ve read ACOTAR so I decided to reread the series in between some of the newer titles I’m getting to. The first time around, I rated this one 3 stars because I couldn’t get behind Tamlin, and Feyre was a whiny brat. Knowing all the twists and turns now (and obviously that SJM is an evil-genius who deserves an award for playing with my emotions) I’m still giving this 3 stars. The set up is worth the outcome in books 2 and 3, so PLEASE READ, but don’t expect book 1 to take your breath away.

An Ember In The Ashes

By: Sabaa Tahir

Overall Rating: ★★★★

The Verdict

WHY DIDN’T I READ THIS SOONER?! An amazing fantasy world with complex characters and an intense plot. Elias Veturius is the most irresistible f*ckboi ever and I love him to death. Laia is a bit on the annoying side, but she grows on you. I felt like I was reading a Game of Thrones X Throne of Glass Saga and I was not disappointed with the oracular fortune telling, political scheming, and magic. I started book two immediately. Which leads me to…

A Torch Against The Night

By: Sabaa Tahir

Overall Rating: ★★★★

The Verdict

Per yoozsh, book two isn’t as amazing as book one, but it’s great in its own right. The book is narrated by Elias, Laia and now Helene. If I’m being honest, Helene’s chapters were boring AF but for some reason I can’t resist her character arc. 75% of this book also felt like I was watching season 6 of Game of Thrones. Everyone gets separated, they are all traveling/trying to make it the epic battle, and I had to wait most of the book for the crazy sh*t to go down. BUT, the wait was worth it. That ending…wow. Excuse me while I binge Reaper At The Gates.

Talk To Me

What did you think of my reads this month? Will you be adding any to your TBR? Have you read any of these already?

Top 5 Tuesday | Favorite Fictional Friendships

Top 5 Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the amazing Bionic Book Worm!

This week we’re talking the best fictional friendships and apparently I’m a sucker for a good team dynamic. I love a great group of friends that balance each other out – the sass machine, the leader, the rule-breaker, the softie. It’s like Breakfast Club in a bunch of different settings!

The Gangsey from The Raven Cycle

Richard Campbell Gansey III and his group of rich boy prep-school friends are life. If I were Blue, I’d want a group of Raven Boys all to myself, too. Gansey is the old-soul. Ronan is the rebel with a sailor’s mouth. Adam, the misfit with magic. And Noah, everyone’s favorite smol cinnamon roll. I need them in my life!

Emma Carstairs & Cristina Rosales from The Dark Artifices

Emma and Cristina are my definition of friend goals. Cristina is definitely the mom of the crew – always level-headed and reminding you to bring a jacket. She balances out Emma’s sassy, fiery ways and they always have each other’s backs. Who wouldn’t want to be one-half of a badass, demon-hunting duo?

The Inner Circle from A Court of Thorns & Roses

If you say you don’t like Cassian, Azriel, Mor or Amren it’s probably because you haven’t read this entire series. They’re ancient warrior beings who also have snowball fights, get drunk together, and have some serious issues they need to take care of. But, I wouldn’t have them any other way. Sign me up to be part of the crew

Beta Team from The Kingmaker Chronicles

Who wouldn’t want to be friends with a bunch of hottie, sass-machine soldiers? Carver, Kato, Flynn and Griffin are loyal, fierce, funny, and would die for the ones they love. And did I mention that they’re all hotties with bodies? Because, that’s an important thing to remember.

The Fab Five from The Remnant Chronicles

The “Fab Five” is the unofficial name I’ve dubbed Rafe and his band of special-ops soldiers – Sven, Orrin, Tavish, and Jeb. They hunt, cook, tell stories, love some fine- linen-crafted shirts, and can kill a man using just their hands. They risk their lives to save Rafe and Lia all while stealing my heart and making me want to be part of the team.

Talk To Me

What did you think of my picks? Do we have any of the same fave friendships? Any that I should be reading about ASAP?

Fiction Files Friday | Swoon-Worthy Part One

This Week’s Updates

It’s Fiction Files Friday again…already?! For February,  Loretta (@LaughingListener) and I decided to highlight some of our favorite characters that happen to have that hyped, swoon-tastic, romance factor. It’s no surprise that everyone went gaga for Rhysand, but I will always save a special place in my heart for the LOVE OF MY LIFE JACE HERONDALE.

Check out some highlights below and don’t forget to follow our pages for more.

The Profiles

I only pulled a handful of my favorites to highlight here – you definitely don’t want to miss out on the rest!

Social

Check out our other pages here:

Twitter

Instagram

Tumblr

LinkTree

Talk To Me

How excited are you for more Fiction Files? Any fandoms you want to see us bring to life? Let me know in the comments!

 

Fiction Files Friday | A Court of Thorns & Roses

This Week’s Updates

Happy Fiction Files Friday! This week Loretta (@LaughingListener) and I started our A Court of Thorns and Roses series, but since there are tons of characters you’ll have to check back in over the next few weeks for them all. Cassian was a fan fave on Tumblr –and all of our hearts. I wouldn’t have it any other way. We saved the best for last though, so keep a look out for Rhys & Feyre.

Check out some highlights below and don’t forget to follow our pages for more!

The Profiles

I only pulled a handful of my favorites to highlight here – you definitely don’t want to miss out on the rest!

Social

Check out our other pages here:

Twitter

Instagram

Tumblr

LinkTree

Talk To Me

How excited are you for more Fiction Files? Any fandoms you want to see us bring to life? Let me know in the comments!

 

Feyre Darling | A Court of Thorns & Roses Playlist

I created my Feyre playlist literally a year ago while I was obsessively binge-reading the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. I also just realized I hadn’t shared it as a blog post yet, so here we are. There be spoilers ahead. You’ve been warned.

The Breakdown

Feyre has one of my favorite come-up stories. She was beaten so low and works her way to a lighter, happier place. Here are some of the picks that remind me of her and her journey.

Pompeii, Bastille

For when Feyre finally breaks under the mountain…and then again when she breaks from being locked up in the Spring Court.

Notable Lyrics: “I was left to my own devices. Many days fell away with nothing to show. And the walls kept tumbling down”

Rise Up, Andra Day

Just picture Rhys singing this to Feyre and trying to bring her out of the darkness…and weep with me.

Notable Lyrics: “You’re broken down and tired of living life on a merry go round. And you can’t find the fighter but I see it in you so we gonna walk it out and move mountains”

Patience, Bad Suns

Feyre will always have to live with the traumatizing events that she went through, but she manages to turn those things into part of her strength and not let it define her. Like SJM says…there are good days and there are bad days. Don’t let the hard days win.

Notable Lyrics: “I’m approaching a breakthrough. I’m happy now. Though, satisfaction comes and goes. While the saddest facts, they cling like shadows”

Talk To Me

What did you think of my picks? What songs would you add? Do you have any playlists you’d want me to create?

Top 5 Tuesday | Books I Almost DNF…But Ended Up Loving!

Top 5 Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the amazing Bionic Book Worm!

Today we’re talking about hate to love relationships with our books and I can’t wait to talk about all the times I’ve been wrong! I’m one of those readers that won’t DNF books because it feels like failure. I’ll push through even the most boring stories, just so I could say I didn’t waste my time starting a book and putting it down. And sometimes my stubbornness actually works out, because I find a book that I actually end up loving! So, without any more rambling, here are my top 5.

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

This one wasn’t technically an almost DNF, but I refused to read it for so long. One of my sisters tried to get me to read this series for probably a year and I kept denying her because contemporary love stories just aren’t my thing. But, I finally decided to give them a chance (mostly because Netflix and Noah Centineo) and may I just say I can’t believe I had missed out on Peter Kavinsky for soooo long! He is a dream boat and Lara Jean is such a lovable dork. My number one regret was waiting so long to read this series.

A Court of Thorns & Roses by Sarah J Maas

I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who thought the first book in this series was a 3-star read. I didn’t hate it, but there was just something about it that seemed off. BUT, of course I bought the rest of the series because I need to know all the things, and BOY WAS I IN FOR A TREAT. A Court of Mist and Fury is one of my all time favorite books and I’m so glad I didn’t give up on this series after book one like I almost did.

Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Okay, so I didn’t end up actually loving this one, but the ending of this book definitely did save the entire thing for me. I was so bored for a good two-thirds of this one but I’m so glad I kept reading because that plot twist at the end was amazing. Cruel Prince still didn’t live up to the hype for me, but I am totally going to read Wicked King solely because of the last 100 pages.

Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

This was another book that took too long to get going. I had heard so many great things about it, but it took me forever to get through the first half. I almost stopped reading, but I’m glad I kept going because, once again, the ending made it worth it.

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

3 triplets, all with super powers, destined to fight to the death on their 16th birthday. The concept sounds great, right? Because, it is! It took me awhile to get into the story, but it picks up and when the fighting goes down things get intense.

Talk To Me

What did you think of my picks? What almost DNF books did you end up loving? Should I give them a try?

Feysand | A Court of Thorns and Roses Playlist

*Spoiler ahead if you haven’t read the A Court of Thorns and Roses Series*

Now that my spoiler warning is out of the way I can freely discuss my love for Rhysand and his love for Feyre. This is the ultimate hate-to-love story and there’s no changing my mind! This playlist has a lot of conflicting emotions and I hope you listen to this in your car and dance around like I do.

If you’re looking for some epic breakup music, check out my Feylin playlist! It has enough angst to soothe the soul.

The Breakdown

Here are a few of my favorite choices and why I thought they fit on this playlist.

Do You Want Me (Dead?), All Time Low

Rhys and Feyre started off on the wrong foot, but I always wondered what was really going on with them. Do they hate each other or not? Well, I found my answer, but this is still them at the end of book 1 and the beginning of book 2.

Notable Lyrics: “Do you want me? Or do you want me dead?”

Starlight, Taylor Swift

Tell me this isn’t the perfect song to be playing in the background during their first Starfall together. Plus, it’s Taylor…so of course I love it.

Notable Lyrics: “It was the best night, never would forget how we moved.
The whole place was dressed to the nines, and we were dancing, dancing. Like we’re made of starlight”

Bright, Echosmith

It was so fun finding songs that alluded to stars and night because they just fit Rhys and Feyre SO well.

Notable Lyrics: “And I see colors in a different way. You make what doesn’t matter fade to grey. Life is good and that’s the way it should be.”

Talk To Me

What did you think of my picks? What songs would you add? Do you have any playlists you’d want me to create?